When I recently blogged about foster care, hundreds of comments erupted – with insightful and compelling thoughts. I compiled the best, sorted for universal themes, lightly edited… Read more “Fixing the Broken Children Welfare System”
Category: Foster Care
Resiliency – and Its Effect on Healing
All children are resilient. I wish. Unfortunately, many are not. In fact, the “resiliency narrative” is all-too-common. Misplaced. Each of my six adopted children (now young adults)… Read more “Resiliency – and Its Effect on Healing”
To Further Understanding, A Brave Trauma Survivor Bears All
Rarely does the media thoroughly investigate childhood trauma – especially in relation to survivors. Too often the emphasis starts and stops with the perpetrator. Survivors are rarely… Read more “To Further Understanding, A Brave Trauma Survivor Bears All”
How the “System” Nearly Turned My Son into a Sociopath
Young adults who commit heinous crimes weren’t always evil. Once upon a time, they were innocent children – like my oldest son. His story is a cautionary… Read more “How the “System” Nearly Turned My Son into a Sociopath”
Hungry & Insecure: The Bottomless Pit Called Childhood Trauma
Would you like some crackers with the peanut butter? Too late! My son ate the whole jar when no one was looking. Food insecurity. It’s a lasting… Read more “Hungry & Insecure: The Bottomless Pit Called Childhood Trauma”
Don’t Call Me the “B” Word
Before anyone’s imagination runs wild, I’m not talking about that “B” word. I’m talking about another “B” word – one that plays a much larger role at… Read more “Don’t Call Me the “B” Word”
Locks, My Friends
Clutching an oversized ring of keys, I look like a janitor – in my home, no less. Not something that I envisioned as a parent. But a… Read more “Locks, My Friends”
Thank you, Simone – But Sadly Not Every Adoption Journey is Paved in Gold
Following the first day of the women’s gymnastics competition at the Rio Olympics, NBC announcer Al Trautwig infamously tweeted. They may be mom and dad but they… Read more “Thank you, Simone – But Sadly Not Every Adoption Journey is Paved in Gold”
A Child’s Fantasy of the Perfect Parent
I will always remember the day. In a moment of overwhelming frustration, my teenage son blurted a totally unexpected yet brutally honest statement. How can you understand… Read more “A Child’s Fantasy of the Perfect Parent”
Begging for Foster Parents: A Sad Sign of the Times
Foster Care Awareness Month. Or should I say Foster Care Crisis Month? In Indiana – like many Midwestern states, the current crisis is rooted in opioids. Too… Read more “Begging for Foster Parents: A Sad Sign of the Times”